EO Charging makes ‘smart’ choice with eMotorWerks partnership
EO Charging has partnered with the electric vehicle charging business of Italian utility Enel to introduce new smart functionality into its home charger units.
The EO Mini Pro will incorporate the communication, control and intelligence software of JuiceNet, a cloud-based platform developed by the California-based eMotorWerks subsidiary of the technologies and solutions company, Enel X.
Charlie Jardine, founder and chief executive at EO Charging, said: “We see electric vehicle chargers as more than ‘just a plug’, they’re the gateway to the future of mobility and the first piece of the puzzle in giving people energy autonomy.
“Whilst we have seen success in the home charging market with the standard EO Mini, we’ve not had a true ‘smart-home offering’. Our partnership with eMotorWerks allows us to launch a cost-effective smart charger for the domestic EV driver that can integrate with solar, onsite storage and offer a plethora of energy management benefits.
Available from early 2019, the charger will be used to schedule and optimise charging times to suit cheaper pricing or high levels of green electricity on the grid, view historical charging data and allow EV drivers to take advantage of dynamic tariffs or demand response initiatives by charging at certain times.
Valery Miftakhov, founder and chief executive of eMotorWerks, said: “By participating in energy services, such as demand response, drivers can reduce EV operating costs and relieve pressure on the grid at times of stress.
“As we expand our European business, we believe JuiceNet will be a significant smart grid enabler for energy companies and authorities to ensure that EVs play a beneficial role in our energy systems at scale.”
In addition, JuiceNet allows the chargers to be aggregated together and managed to respond to surges in demand on the grid and to bid that load into energy markets.
Customer demand leads to Engenie roll out at M7 Real Estate warehouses
Engenie is to install rapid chargers at M7 Real Estate’s out of town retail warehouses in the UK by the end of the year.
The company, which secured investment in May from international banking group Investec to deploy 1,500 electric vehicle chargers nationwide, will install 16 such charging points across eight M7 locations.
The partnership, to be based on a profit share model on gross profit will see EV charging points powered exclusively by 100% renewable energy and is said to be in response to the needs of the real estate company’s customers.
John Murnaghan, head of UK real estate at M7, said: “As the number of retail warehouse assets under our management continues to grow, so too has the demand from our customers for this technology. This partnership presents a compelling opportunity to help future proof our retail park portfolio as well as enhancing the performance of these assets and consumer choice on site.”
Engenie’s business development director Patrick Sherriff added: “Installing convenient, accessible and easy-to-use EV charging points across M7’s UK portfolio will put the customer at the heart of the EV transition.
“Partnering with M7 to offer their customers rapid EV charging is a significant step towards our aim to build a public charging network spanning the whole of the UK. M7’s retail parks are a perfect fit for our rapid chargers, giving EV drivers the convenience of re-fuelling whilst they shop and eat.”
Instavolt celebrates latest milestone after successful year
Instavolt is celebrating the installation of its 200th rapid charger since it first began deploying its DC chargers just 12 months ago.
The charging station was installed at Locks Heath Shopping Village in Hampshire, with retail sites thought of by Instavolt’s chief executive Tim Payne as an ideal location for rapid chargers “as they offer drivers an easily accessible location with plenty of amenities, and are a natural fit with dwell times that match typical charging sessions.”
“We are delighted to have reached this landmark in such a short time and it’s a credit to the team here and our stakeholders and partners who also do a terrific job,” he added.
The company is preparing to close off a successful year having secured a number of important partnerships at petrol forecourts, leisure and health clubs and retail centres. It was also named the top-rated open access network (behind Tesla’s dedicated charging network) on the grounds of ease of use, contactless card payment and access.
The company has also appointed Alex Vane as director of finance this week, who spent the last decade in a similar role at Braemar Shipping Services.
Adrian Keen, InstaVolt’s chief financial officer, said: “Alex brings a depth of experience that will be a real asset to the company. By strengthening our finance team, Alex’s appointment supports our objective of being the largest owner-operator of DC rapid charging assets in the UK. This industry is extremely exciting, and we’re very well placed to capitalise on our success to date.”
